Explore The
Land Down Under
This TopicQuest was designed for Mrs. Barr's Second Grade Class at
Northside Primary School by Niesi Ashe, a Valdosta State University
Preservice Teacher

G'Day
Mates!! Do you know what land is an island, a country and a
continent all in one?Welcome to Australia!
Come explore
this website, made just for you, and see what the "Land Down Under" has
to offer. From kangaroos to tasmanian devils (yes, there is such
a thing!) to great white sharks, Australia has animals of all kinds,
many of which are unique to this island. You can also see
how Australians celebrate holidays, how this country has many different
landscapes and much, much more. I hope you have a great
adventure!

Australia is a very interesting
place. It has many different landscapes, including mountains, deserts
and beaches. Check out this picture book
to learn about many interesting tidbits of the Land Down Under.

Australia
has many unique (and sometimes strange) animals to offer. Click here to get
information about the red kangaroo, the platypus and the flying
fox. A second website
can be used to see many of the other animals that can be found on this
island, from the tasmanian devil to penguins to koalas.

The
Great Barrier Reef, the world's longest reef, is located off the coast
of Australia. Check out this website
to learn more about the reef and see pictures of all the different
sealife that can be encountered here.

Since
Australia celebrates Christmas during their summer break, do you think
the traditions are different from ours? Click here to see a student's
account of her Christmas in the Land Down Under and see if you were
correct. You can even see some recipes for Australian traditional
Christmas
foods.

Think you know all there is to know about kangaroos? Check out
this interactive
kangaroo page to see if you really know the facts about your
kangaroos!

Syndney,
Australia hosted the 2000 Olympics. See some of the
opening ceremonies biggest moments, including horseback riders, fire
dancers and more!!

Need
quick, basic facts about all of Australia? This encyclopedia
look provides an overview about the land, people, economy, government,
history and modern Austraila.

Imagine that you are on a safari through the wild world of
Australia. On this mission, you will travel through the outback,
through the mountain range and even to the beach to go diving at the Great
Barrier Reef.
A TV show wants to hear about your travel experience
on your journey. I'd like you to write a story about Australia's unique animals
that you see on your journey and the favorite animal you discovered in
Australia. You should also draw a picture of an animal you would
see at the reef and in the outback.

Mission Steps

1. Visit the above
websites and check out the many unique animals of Australia.
2. Decide which animal is your favorite.
3. Write a story about your favorite animal, telling me what part
of
Australia the animal lives in and what the animal eats.

4. Draw and label a picture of your favorite animal
that lives in
the Great Barrier Reef.

5. Draw and label a picture of your favorite animal that lives on the
land of
Australia.